Rosary place keeper



y 4, 1961 G. A. 'MUES RQSARY PLACE KEEPER Filed D60. 19, 1958 0 WM an E M 6 e w. 6

W W HTTORNEY$ United States Patent 2,990,625 ROSARY PLACE KEEPER George A. Mues, 9429 Sequoia Drive, Affton, Mo. Filed Dec. 19, 1958, Ser. No. 781,645 2 Claims. (Cl. 3523) The present invention relates generally to religious ite and more particularly to a rosary place keeper for keeping ones place when interrupted, for example, when saying prayers.

There has long existed the need for a satisfactory device for keeping ones place while saying prayers in accordance with the rosary. Interruptions will occur, particularly when prayers are being said in places other than in church, which necessitates beginning anew the series of prayers being undertaken. The present rosary place keeper fulfills this long need in a dignified and effective manner.

The present novel rosary place keeper is generally of U-shape and includes in the lower reach an opening which is of a size to accommodate rosary beads. Preferably, the device is of a resilient plastic material which is lightweight and will readily flex for engaging and for disengagement of the rosary beads.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel rosary place keeper for readily engaging in clamping relation the bead of a rosary to mark the place of the last prayer in the rosary prayer sequence.

Another object is to provide a novel rosary place keeper of a form and material for quick engagement with and ready disengagement from a bead of a rosary, yet which firmly engages the bead when in operative position against accidental or casual displacement.

Another object is to provide a novel rosary place keeper which can be manipulated by a person with minimum instruction to engage a rosary bead and which can be just as readily disengaged by such user.

Other objects are to provide a novel rosary place keeper which is of simple lightweight construction, which is relatively inexpensive, which is dignified and attractive in appearance, and which otherwise fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a rosary place keeper formed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a central longitudinal cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 illustrating the device in engagement with a rosary bead; and

FIGURE 5 is an isometric view illustrating a rosary bead being disposed between the upper and lower legs of the device.

Referring to the drawing more particularly by reference numerals, indicates generally a rosary place keeper constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The keeper 10 is formed in the general shape of a U, and includes an upper leg 12, a lower leg 14, and a bight 16. The free end of the lower leg 14 is curved downwardly, facilitating engagement with a rosary head. A round opening 18 is formed in the lower leg 14, as is clearly illustrated in FIGURE 3, and is of a diameter to receive a rosary bead 20, as is shown in FIGURE 4. The diameter of the opening 18 may be smaller than the large rosary beads and larger than the small rosary beads, although this relationship is not critical. In fact, the opening 18 may be elongated transversely to receive elongated rosary beads, although a round opening 18 will satisfactorily accommodate rosary beads of various specific configurations.

In FIGURE 5, the rosary place keeper 10 is illustrated as being disposed on a bead 20, being handled by the fingers and thumb of one hand, demonstrating the ease with which the present novel device may be used. The keeper 10 can be removed from the bead 24 just as readily.

The rosary place keeper 10 is preferably of plastic material which is light in weight and resilient to afford ready flexing to and fro of the legs 12 and 14. Of course, other materials may be employed. The upper surface of the upper leg 12 is formed as a medallion, but the design may be varied or omitted if desired.

It is apparent that there has been provided a rosary place keeper which fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing have been given by Way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A rosary place keeper comprising a U-shaped member including an upper leg and a lower leg, said lower leg including an opening of a size to receive a rosary bead, said keeper being of resilient material permitting ready movement of said upper and lower legs away from and towards each other as a rosary bead is engaged or released.

2. A rosary place keeper comprising a U-shaped member including an upper leg and a lower leg, said lower leg including an opening of a size to receive a rosary bead, said keeper being of resilient plastic material permitting ready movement of said upper and lower legs away from and towards each other as a rosary bead is engaged or released, one of said legs being of greater length than the other and having a lip downwardly deflected from the other leg.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 620,238 Garrigan Feb. 28, 1899 1,513,305 Spiro J an. 23, 1925 FOREIGN PATENTS 479,171 Canada Dec. 11, 1951 

